FAM gets FIFA show-cause letter

PETALING JAYA — September 11, 2015: Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Datuk Seri Afandi Hamzah has confirmed that the governing body has received a show-cause letter from the International Football Federation (FIFA) over the rioting at the Shah Alam Stadium on September 8.

FAM received the letter a day after the incident and it was given 14 days to reply or face the possibility of being suspended from participating in
international level tournaments organised by FIFA.

“We are also disappointed with what had happened. After discussing all matters, we have decided to focus on the necessary action in the context of
resurrecting our position.

“We will also be sending an apology to the Saudi Arabian Embassy and other ambassadors present at the match,” he said in a media conference after chairing an executive committee meeting at Wisma FAM here today.

The 2018 World Cup/2019 Asian Cup qualifying match between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia had to be stopped by referee Liu Kwok Man of Hong Kong in the 88th minute after some supporters hurled flares and firecrackers onto the pitch.

The FAM task force headed by another deputy president, Datuk Abdul Mokhtar Ahmad, will be holding a special meeting on Monday to
discuss various matters, including a reshuffle of the FAM leadership.

Afandi said FAM would return to strengthening five major areas to restore national football dignity which has been tarnished at the international level.

These are youth development, local leagues, FAM’s management, status of Harimau Muda and the national squad.

Mokhtar said a major reshuffle in FAM would not resolve the poor performance of the national squad as it needed a long term plan. — Bernama